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Individual and Societal Influences on Participation in Physical Activity Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Qualitative Study

SM Levins, BScPT, MSc, is currently a physical therapist practicing in Louisiana. He was a student in the Graduate Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the time of the study.
DM Redenbach, Dip(PT), PhD, is Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Division, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
I Dyck, Dip(OT), PhD, is Professor, Occupational Therapy Division, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Address all correspondence to Mr Levins at 58017 Plaquemine St, Plaquemine, LA 70764 (USA) (sslevins{at}cox.net)

Background and Purpose. Despite evidence that physical activity, a tool of rehabilitation, affects health and improves functional ability in people following spinal cord injury (SCI), such people are often physically inactive. We used a qualitative method to explore the experiences of individuals with SCI during participation in physical activity. Subjects. The participants were 8 adults (5 male, 3 female), ranging from active to inactive, who were 2 to 27 years post-rehabilitation following SCI (paraplegic). Methods. We used semistructured ethnographic interviews to explore barriers and enablers to participation in physical activity following SCI. Emerging themes were derived from the participants' experiences. Results. Two themes were identified: (1) individual influences, defined as a period of loss of "able identity" and subsequent redefinition of self in which participation in physical activity may be a vehicle or an outcome, and (2) societal influences, which included environmental and attitudinal barriers. Discussion and Conclusion. The participants' experiences offer insight for therapists regarding physical activity following SCI.

Key Words: Participation • Physical activity • Qualitative research • Spinal cord injury